Evaluation of squamous cell carcinoma antigen-immunoglobulin M complex (SCCA-IGM) and alpha-l-fucosidase (AFU) as novel diagnostic biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Mossad N.A.; Mahmoud E.H.; Osman E.A.; Mahmoud S.H.; Shousha H.I.
Journal: Tumor Biology
Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers
Publication Date: 17 August 2014
Volume / Issue: Volume 35 / Issue 11
Pages: 11559–11564
ISSN: 10104283
DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-2467-y
Scopus: View on Scopus
PubMed: 25129443
Document Type: Article
Authors and Affiliations
Mossad N.A., Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Mahmoud E.H., Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Osman E.A., Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), Cairo, Egypt; Mahmoud S.H., Endemic Hepatogastroenterology Department, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Shousha H.I., Endemic Hepatogastroenterology Department, Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance lacks a reliable biomarker. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the most widely used. However, not all HCCs secrete AFP. AFP may be elevated with cirrhosis in the absence of HCC. Serum alpha-l-fucosidase (AFU) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen-immunoglobulin M complex (SCCA-IgM) were found to be useful markers in diagnosing HCC. SCCA-IgM and AFU were assessed by ELISA technique; AFP was measured by enzyme chemiluminescence in serum of 40 patients with HCC, 30 patients with liver cirrhosis, and 20 healthy control participants to compare their accuracy in early diagnosis of HCC. Serum SCCA-IgM and AFU levels were significantly elevated in HCC group compared to cirrhotic group (P value < 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve showed the optimal cutoff value for SCCA-IgM was 233 AU/ml with sensitivity 87.5 % and specificity 66 % and for AFU was 25 U/L with sensitivity 87.5 % and specificity 98 %. AFP cutoff value was 48 ng/mL with sensitivity of 70 % and specificity of 53.3 %. The simultaneous determination of AFP and SCCA-IgM activity increased the sensitivity to 92.5 % and specificity to 62.1 %. There were positive significant correlations between SCCA-IgM and each of AFU (r = 0.296, P = 0.005) and AFP (r = 0.284, P = 0.007) and no correlation between AFP and AFU. All markers did not correlate with the tumor size or affected by the Child score. The significant difference between SCCA-IgM and AFU levels among HCC and cirrhotic patients suggests their use as potential diagnostic tools and allows identifying a new group of HCC patients even in the absence of elevated AFP. © 2014, International Society of Oncology and BioMarkers (ISOBM).
Keywords
AFP; Alpha-l-fucosidase; Hepatocellular carcinoma; SCCA-IgM; Adult; alpha-Fetoproteins; Antigens, Neoplasm; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Case-Control Studies; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; ROC Curve; Serpins; Tumor Markers, Biological; alpha fetoprotein; alpha levo fucosidase; serine proteinase inhibitor; squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen; tumor antigen; tumor marker; blood; cancer staging; case control study; comparative study; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; follow up; human; metabolism; pathology; receiver operating characteristic
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 28
For comprehensive information about the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), its institutional activities, scientific and research achievements, clinical and hospital services, and the diverse expertise offered through its 22 specialized research and clinical departments, as well as opportunities for professional training, specialized workshops, and scientific conferences, readers are invited to visit the Institute’s official website.
The website provides regularly updated information on the Institute’s latest news, research activities, scientific initiatives, clinical services, institutional programs, and academic and professional opportunities.
English Website: https://www.tbri.sci.eg/en/
Arabic Website: https://www.tbri.sci.eg/ar/
Prepared and Uploaded by:
Abdalla F. Abdalla
Electronic Portal Unit
